Dermot Gallagher, a former Premier League referee, has offered his opinion on a missed opportunity that may have put Mikel Merino, an Arsenal midfielder, in serious difficulty during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United. There were plenty of contentious moments in the match, the most significant of which preceded United’s opening goal, even though it lacked much of the flare that usually makes the match so thrilling.
Christian Eriksen acknowledged that he saw the error when referee Anthony Taylor put the Arsenal wall 11.2 yards ahead of Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick that handed the home team the lead. However, it appears that Gallagher is now sharing his thoughts on an event involving Merino and Alejandro Garnacho, so this was not the only thing Taylor missed that evening.
Gallagher Claims Merino Right Not to be Sent Off for Garnacho Stamp
The Spaniard appeared to tread on the United winger while he was down
Merino gets into a brawl with Garnacho and Casemiro, as shown in the picture below, and seems to step on the Argentine who is on the ground. On second look, it appears as though the collision was unintentional, even though it appears that the Gunners star did apply some effort to the challenge.
Merino stamps on Garnacho's ankle and doesn't get a red. Lucky Arsenal have the refs in their pockets. PGMOL team.. pic.twitter.com/RqqKXpuX8P
— A Red's Perspective (@RedsPerspective) March 9, 2025
Gallagher expressed a similar opinion on Sky Sports’ most recent Ref Watch, saying that although it doesn’t look good, it was only a bookable offence:
“The referee will issue a yellow card if he gives something. I don’t think that’s a red card, but it doesn’t look good. Two players booted him, and I believe Casemiro kicked him as well! Garnacho benefits from standing on his boot as opposed to his ankle.
Gallagher Speaks on Controversial Manchester United Goal
The ex-official tried his best to explain what caused Taylor to set the wall further back
Gallagher was also asked to explain why Taylor might have placed the Arsenal wall farther back than the customary 10-yard line in the incident that gave United the lead.
“To be fair to him, the law stipulates a minimum of 10 yards, but the referee thought it was 10 yards. According to the 67-year-old, “that doesn’t mean they can’t go back 11.” He might have taken into account the fact that the wall advances regardless of whether a free kick is taken, so by the time the kick is taken, it is closer to ten.
“Anthony Taylor will have his own system of measuring ten yards, but I’m not sure the calibration [of the measurement] is correct anyway.
“The pitch is divided into six-yard segments, and based on the photos, it appears to be only ten yards long. Referees might use the available guides to assist them.
It’s interesting to note that United had to defend a free-kick from a similar location in the second half, which is precisely what Gallagher said about the wall going forward. Martin Odegaard attempted to close the shot, but Casemiro cleared it away as the Red Devils’ wall scampered forward ahead of him and even leaped forward.
